Holy Rattlesnake! I didn't appreciate Joel finding this in our yard as he mowed Saturday morning.

I tried to convince him to kill the thing, as I DO NOT like snakes. However, he said we cannot hurt nature and took it over to the woods so he could be free. Joel tried to convince me that they are a vital part of the ecosystem - they eat rodents & since I hate rodents... I tried to convince him that I hate snakes more than mice. It didn't work. Lucky snake...

Today started out rough. Kids fighting, yelling, throwing tantrums, and me loosing my cool and yelling at kids. Ugh - I hate it when days go like this. The only conciliation I have is that after we all talked out a few problems we were able to get along the rest of the day and start having some fun.

First up windbags. No matter how often I pull these out, the kids never get tired of seeing how many breaths it takes to blow one up completely. So we blew up the entire stash and decided to make shapes and things out of them.

Dragonfly

Hat

Pyramid

Sammy the Elephant

After an hour or so we decided to go for a walk. Isaac and I have been reading about tadpoles and Micah knows a place near the house. We headed to the secret place that Micah was taking us to, although only Micah saw the tadpoles we did find a frog in hiding and see some water striders. On the way Isaac had to impress me with adding 2+2, 2+3, and asking his brothers how much 5x5 is. Then we had to count mailboxes along the way

On the way back we stopped by the playground.

After lunch...
Isaac played with the windbags some more, watched more Thomas on YouTube -can you tell this is a daily occurrence and played with his trains.
Sabrina was suppose to go down for a nap, but decided it was more fun to stay away and climb in and out of her crib. Then she decided it was naked time.
Xavier watched another episode of Pysch (his fave show) and ditched us to go to the pool with friends.
Micah made Peanut Butter Cookies, practicde using the wood burning kit, and ditched us for the movies.

In the end it turned out to be a pretty good day. Think I will curl up with a book and eat cookies after we tuck the little ones into bed.

Micah has been asking me to teach him to sew for a few years. I figured today would be a great day to pull out the machines. I have a pile of "mom/honi can you fix this growing" and Micah is itching to make a cover for Buddy's cage.

After rummaging through the craft box Micah settled on some leftover denim material. After he cut and pinned the fabric I showed him how to thread the machine. Then I was quickly dismissed. Seems he has this - don't need momma at all. Wow! Considering how easy this was I should have "taught" him to sew years ago when he first asked.

Tuesday morning atoms were the rage at our house. Joel gave each of the boys a question concerning atoms. Micah spent the morning researching, building both out of Magnetix and having a huge discussion with Joel. I paid attention for the most part. I was right there with them as the talked about atoms and water molecules, but they lost me when they started discussing DNA, RNA, and genetic coding.

Xavier did some research on his IPod. Then decided he was going to write a song about atoms. He is almost done with it (so he says). He gave me a small taste of it, but I am still waiting to hear the final result.

While Sabrina napped Micah, Isaac and I headed back up to the library. Micah wanted to get some books on drawing. Isaac wanted to get whatever he could grab and I already had a handful to turn in and a list to pick up. I have been reading a lot of nutrition/GMO Foods/back to the land type books lately. So I picked up a few more of those along with a handful of Chemistry books for myself. Currently I am working on the "if I read it & talk about it - they may get interested and read it too" idea. It's not working out that great, but then the main topic of discussion over the last week has been about turkey sex or lack of it and having the job of being the "turkey sperm wrangler" (you need to read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle to get it). The boys are not to thrilled with the idea of reading about sex as it is, much less turkey sex. Oh well, maybe Chemistry will be different. Besides I never took it in High School so I might as well learn about it now. Maybe then when Micah decides to have these "chemistry" discussions with his dad I won't be out in left field.

The rest of our Tuesday consisted of video games, swimming at the pool, more talk about turkeys (specifically how we won't be eating one for Thanksgiving if I cannot find one which does NOT have the name Butterball on it, as I won't be eating a Broad White Breasted Turkey) and having a jail in our living room. Only the warden responsible for shutting off the living room decided to hide under the table.

Wednesday was not nearly as exciting and plain out sucked for me. I was not in a good mood. I woke up late & missed a meeting I was suppose to be at :-( Maintenance didn't show up to paint - must of mixed up the date on my calendar. Signed the older 2 up for Edge classes. Guess who agreed to be a taxicab every day for a month :-o Not sure what I was thinking there, but they both wanted drawing, skateboard design, and theater arts. Isaac went to gymnastics & I was suppose to meet someone afterwards only for them to not be there. Okay so I was 4 minutes late.... but seriously??

The boys spent the day reading, playing video games, talking about technology, and the Amish (thanks to another book I just finished reading). We also learned how Xavier will live in Maine on a farm and make his children wax the toilet for punishment if he doesn't make it into the Air Force and how women everywhere should be safe if he is around because he now knows how to deliver a baby in a cab (and pick a lock and kick down a door - thanks to a book he is reading).

For dinner we ditched all forms of good nutrition and had breakfast burritos, talked about Thanksgiving some more (yep we talked more turkey) then ended the day watching a show and goofing off. What turned out to be a crappy day had a wonderful ending. Well, except for the evil face we kept being given - don't be fooled, no matter how cute she looks right now - that is NOT the cute face...

As all the kids in our neighborhood walked to school or hitched a ride on the big yellow bus today I sat on the porch thinking about how thankful I am to be at home with my children. I am thankful that I do not have to wake them up early during the dog days of summer to rush them out the door so they can sit in a classroom with 20-30 other kids learning from a prescribed curriculum. I am thankful I do not have to worry about whether they are bored to death, being challenged enough, or being held back because their interest is not something which does not correspond to their age. I am thankful we can go as fast or as slow as we want when it comes to different subjects. Most of all I am thankful that I/we do not have to look at the middle of August as the end of summer and the beginning of fall (which officially starts September 23rd).

So while hundreds of thousands of children across America watch their summer come to an end today. We enjoyed every moment of of our summer day and even did some "NOT SCHOOL" learning along the way. To many it may look like we spent the day playing (we did), but learning happens all the time.

So here's a look at our "Not School" Learning day...

Our morning consisted of watching "Secrets of the Dead: China's Terracotta Warriors". A trip to the library where a miracle happened and we only came home with 1 bag full of books & played puppets:

Our afternoon/evening was spent reading, drawing, napping (Sabrina & I), playing video games, watching Thomas videos, building tracks, swimming at the pool, and more reading. While it was a fun-filled day for us, plenty of learning was taking place. Objectives covered today: social skills, research techniques, history, the judicial system, science, religious beliefs, creativity/art, physical education, money skills, strategy, nutrition, our body/GMO foods, air streams, and more. It was a pretty awesome "No School" Learning day :-)

So we are finally taking the Outdoor Hour Challenge. I have been planning on doing it for some time, but never get around to it.

We took a short walk down to the stream by our house. It was nice to get outside and go for a walk and Isaac really enjoyed looking at everything and listening to the sounds. Micah & Xavier saw a rabbit we couldn't get a picture of it but Isaac found piles of rabbit scat.

Continuing on from my last post... That was short lived. My dear children informed me that they need to graduate from high school by the time they are 16/17 years old. They have both come up with a plan to finish high school and start college (and one wants to graduate college and go in the military). So my fun, creative learning has been tossed aside by them for an action packed plan to graduate. Oh Lord, help me now.

"I hate school" - is the motto at our house and to be honest I am singing it with the boys. When we started homeschooling I saw visions of grandeur. School would consist of projects, outings, learning on the go, yes we would do the 3 R's but creativity was going to be key. Somewhere we got lost along the way and school has become about textbooks, completing curriculum and pure drudgery. The result: my children and myself are suffering.

In my heart I am an unschooler. In reality I am stuck on a curriculum, keeping up with the Jones', and preparation for life nightmare. I have been reflecting a lot on what I remember from my days in school and realized a lot of stuff that I was suppose "to learn" is nowhere in my recollection. Instead I remember the research I did on numerous things when my mom decided that if I was going to be "a truant" I might as well be truant at home. So the rest of that school year I walked all over town, researched vampires, witches, global warming, PETA, and a million other things. It was a great few months and summer! The only thing Mom asked is that I do a little math and write a paper for her once in awhile.

So here I am years later wishing my kids could have a school life like the one I had those months. Why can't they? Because their mom started "doing school". They don't understand that you can learn without the textbooks, curriculum, and that learning can be fun (and considered "school" for record keeping purposes). Hmmm, how do you help your children love to learn when you killed that love to begin with?

Unfortunately, my kids need & want a To-Do List each day. So maybe I will give them a new one. One filled with creative, fun, "learning" activities and eventually their love of learning will re-emerge. So this week is a fresh start and hopefully it is not to late...

I took a group of 6 kids to participate in a community service project this morning. The kids (including 2 of my own) are members of a service club that myself and a friend are heading up for our homeschool group.

Today's project - join Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful in a waterway cleanup at a local city park. We logged in 2 service hours each and had a lot of fun (to the surprise of a couple of the kids).

Along with trash, Micah found a tiny frog and a couple of the kids found crawdads. I am looking forward to next months service project already.

Luke 2:21-3821 And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child,[e] His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD”),[f] 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”[g]

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 29 “ Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33 And Joseph and His mother[h] marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years,[i] who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord,[j] and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.Matthew 2: 1-11 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Today is the Epiphany, which means appearance, manifestation or revelation. It is a Christian feast day that celebrates Christ being revealed as King through the Magi (3 wise men). It is also known as Three Kings Day. Some churches recognize this time also as the day of Jesus’ baptism and the marriage supper in Canaan. Epiphany is a Season of the Church Year and lasts from the end of the Christmas season (Epiphany) until Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins.

Although Jesus came first to Israel, from the beginning the plan of salvation was for all mankind: the Jew and the Gentile. We see this through the truth spoken by Simeon in Jerusalem and also the prophetess. The Magi who came in search of Jesus, the king also are a testament of his salvation for the gentiles. The Magi were not of Jewish descent. Yet, they brought gifts and bore witness of his kingdom to all. Today we celebrate Epiphany; the day that was made known to us that Jesus came to save all people. We praise him and thank Him, for it is His blood that will be shed so that we may have salvation.

**Our Celebration1. A nice dinner (oriental flair), followed by dessert of “3 King’s Cake”.2. Blessing the house as a family, that the Holy Spirit may guide us, just as the star guided the Magi.3. Mark our front door with chalk 20 C M B 10 (C M B, are the initials of the Magi, but also refers to "Christus Mansionem Benedicat," meaning "May Christ bless this dwelling.")

“On the 12th Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me 12 Drummers Drumming”

The Apostle’s Creed (Do not read the numbers)1.I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth,2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord,3. Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell.5. The third day he rose again from the dead;6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.7. From there he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.8. I believe in the Holy Spirit,9. I believe in the holy catholic church, the communion of saints,10. The forgiveness of sins,11. The resurrection of the body,12. And the life everlasting. Amen

The Apostle’s Creed has 12 points that all Christians must believe.

The first thing we must believe is God and that he created everything. Regardless of our belief in how long a day was, he made heaven and earth in 6 days. He created everything in the world. Therefore, we must remember that everything belongs to Him.

The second and third thing we must believe is that Jesus is God’s son and that he was born from Mary and that she was a virgin. She was impregnated by the Holy Spirit.Fourth, he was crucified, meaning hung on a cross where he died. They took his body to a tomb and buried him. When Jesus died he went to Hell where he broke the chains of death.

Fifth he rose again, he came back to earth, he was not dead. Sixth and seventh belief we must have is that he ascended into heaven and will judge everyone. Jesus, body and all went up to heaven. There he sits beside God and will judge all of mankind.

Eighth belief is to believe in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps us to live according to God’s word and guides us through everyday life. We must learn to hear the Holy Spirit when it speaks to us.

Ninth we believe in the holy catholic church, which means in the body of Christian believers, and the saints.

Tenth we believe that because of Jesus, our sins can be forgiven.Eleventh and twelfth belief is that we to will be resurrected and will live forever with God.

If you follow your bliss, you'll have your bliss whether you have money or not. If you follow money, you may lose the money, and then you don't even have that. The secure way is really the insecure way and the way in which the richness of the quest accumulates is the right way. ~ Joseph Campbell

About Me

Homeschooling Momma of 4 trying to let go of my "control freak" nature & let learning happen naturally. Army wife... Married to Joel for 16+ years. Raising my kids the best that I can & loving be their mom...